Paladin: A Vow of Steel and Light

Special Mount Purposes

Not every sacred mount exists primarily to carry an armoured warrior into battle. The following alternatives preserve the older expanded Paladin material while keeping it separate from the core 3.5e class rules.

Traveller

A Traveller exists to carry its Paladin toward distant need rather than to dominate a battlefield.

Endurance. The mount gains a +4 bonus on checks involving prolonged physical exertion.

Wanderer Sense. The mount gains a +10 inherent bonus on checks associated with finding its way, including Intuit Direction and Wilderness Lore.

Serendipity. During each day of overland travel there is a 2% chance per Paladin level that the mount’s course brings the pair across someone or something needing their help before the planned destination is reached.

Seven League March. Once per week the mount can cover seven times its normal overland distance for as much as eight hours. Ending the effect early does not allow the remaining extraordinary movement to be saved for later in the same week.

Overseer

An Overseer is as much guardian of the Paladin’s conduct as it is servant or steed.

Commune. Once per day the mount can seek supernatural guidance. It may ask on the Paladin’s behalf, though any cost attached to the Paladin’s own request remains the Paladin’s responsibility.

Hold. The mount can focus a restraint resembling Hold Person upon its own Paladin as though cast by an 8th-level Cleric. A failed Will save prevents the Paladin from voluntarily dismounting, although the rider can still otherwise act and can still be knocked from the saddle. The mount may release the restraint.

Reinforcements I. Once per week the mount can call celestial assistance using an effect comparable to Summon Monster V.

Reinforcements II. At the highest tier, the mount can instead call upon an effect comparable to Lesser Planar Ally. The mount may use one of its reinforcement abilities during that week, not both.

Mentor

A Mentor is a supernatural instructor whose function is to educate and strengthen the Paladin.

Spellcasting. While mounted, the Paladin gains one additional spell slot at a spell level for which the normal Paladin spells-per-day table currently shows 0.

Gift of Learning. Choose a number of Knowledge skills equal to the Paladin’s Wisdom modifier. Those skills become class skills for the Paladin.

Superior Instruction. From the 11–14 tier onward, the Paladin receives 2 additional skill points whenever gaining a new Paladin level.

Spell Resistance. At the highest tier the Mentor gains the appropriate Spell Resistance.

If the creature chosen as a Mentor already possesses Intelligence above 10 before becoming a sacred mount, use the adjustment appropriate to a Counsel instead of reducing its intellect.

Counsel

A Counsel exists to recognise moral danger, manipulation and impending breach of oath.

Improved Empathic Link. Paladin and mount can communicate telepathically over a range of up to 1 mile per Paladin level.

Moral Warning. The mount warns its rider before an action that would make the character an ex-Paladin or knowingly break a sacred vow or oath. When another creature is manipulating the Paladin into such conduct, the Paladin gains a +4 synergy bonus on an appropriate skill check made to recognise or resist the manipulation. If the manipulation is magical, the Paladin instead gains a +2 inherent bonus on the relevant Will save.

Share Spell Resistance. While riding the Counsel, the Paladin can benefit from the mount’s Spell Resistance.

Atonement. A Counsel can remain beside a fallen Paladin when another sacred mount might depart and can provide the means by which that Paladin begins atonement.

These rules assume an intelligent or empathically linked sacred mount. They supplement the standard Mounted Combat feat and Ride skill rather than replacing them.

Modified Ride Tasks

An intelligent sacred mount does not require a check simply to remain controlled in combat. The rider can give ordinary combat direction freely, while an empathic or telepathic bond removes the need to steer with the knees.

For staying mounted, taking cover, leaping or falling safely, rider and mount act as a trained pair. A character with at least 5 ranks in Handle Animal gains the normal +2 synergy bonus on Ride checks. If the GM allows the empathic link to aid the manoeuvre, an additional synergy bonus equal to the Paladin’s Charisma modifier can apply.

Mounted Manoeuvres

Boarding Leap

Prerequisite: Mounted Combat.
Ride DC: 20; an empathic mount grants +5 on the check.
Actions: rider uses a move-equivalent action; mount spends a full-round action.

The Paladin leaps onto a moving mount, wagon, vessel or similar moving platform. The mount normally double-moves or runs to match the target. If another rider or handler is controlling the target, resolve an opposed Ride, Handle Animal or equivalent check. On success the Paladin lands aboard. A DC 15 Balance check lets the rider retain the remainder of their action; failure leaves the character prone or otherwise badly positioned.

Strong Leap

Prerequisites: Mounted Combat, Ride-By Attack.
Ride DC: 20; empathic mount +5.
Actions: rider free action; mount special movement.

The mount makes a forceful 10-foot leap during movement. For attacks of opportunity, treat that leap as the equivalent of a 5-foot step. A successful Ride check lets the Paladin remain balanced and ready; unusual obstacles can require an additional Jump or Ride check set by the GM.

Follow-Up Attack

Prerequisite: Mounted Combat.
Ride DC: 15 with an empathic mount.
Actions: rider attacks normally; mount uses a full-round action.

The mount strikes first with its hooves or equivalent primary impact attack. If it hits, the Paladin gains a +2 synergy bonus on attacks against the same target, plus a further +1 for fighting from the mount. If every attack in the combined sequence hits, the target must succeed on a Fortitude save with DC 10 + total damage dealt or be knocked prone.

Knockdown

Prerequisites: Mounted Combat, Trample.
Ride check: none beyond the manoeuvre’s opposed resolution.
Actions: rider uses a move-equivalent action; mount uses a full-round action.

During a charge the mount attempts to trip rather than overrun. The attack uses whichever is best: the mount’s base attack bonus, the rider’s base attack bonus or the rider’s Ride modifier, then adds +2 for the charge and +2 from Trample. The opposed trip resolution uses the Paladin’s Ride check against the target’s Strength- or Dexterity-based resistance. Success knocks the target prone and allows the rider to attack with an appropriate reach weapon.

Leaping Tackle

Prerequisites: Mounted Combat, Ride-By Attack.
Ride DC: 15 with an empathic mount.
Actions: rider standard action; mount full-round action.

The rider launches from the saddle during a charge to trip and immediately grapple the target. The initial attack receives the normal +2 charge bonus. A failed Ride check causes the Paladin to fall and suffer 1d6 damage; a Reflex DC 15 check may be used where appropriate to mitigate the fall.

On a successful impact the rider suffers 1d4 damage but gains +4 Strength for the trip attempt. If the trip succeeds, the grapple begins immediately and the normal advantage for grappling a prone opponent applies.

Pin Down

Prerequisite: Mounted Combat.
Actions: rider standard action; mount special action.

Against an adjacent prone target, the Paladin makes a touch attack or uses the mount’s Ride-assisted position to pin a limb beneath hoof, paw or equivalent weight. The victim counts as pinned while the hold remains. Attempts to wrench free can automatically inflict the mount’s appropriate damage. Resolve attempts to maintain the pin with an opposed Strength check, adding the rider’s base attack bonus where appropriate.

Pounding

Prerequisites: Mounted Combat, Trample.
Empathic bonus: +2 on the relevant Ride check.
Actions: rider and mount commit their full actions.

Against an adjacent prone foe the mount gains a +2 synergy bonus on its attacks. The result of the Paladin’s Ride check becomes the DC for the victim’s Reflex save or appropriate Escape Artist/Tumble attempt to get clear. For every round the target remains trapped beneath the assault, it suffers normal damage plus 1d4 temporary Strength, Dexterity or Constitution damage, chosen by the rider.

Rearing Attack

Prerequisite: Mounted Combat.
Ride DC: 18 with an empathic mount.
Actions: rider standard action; mount standard action.

The mount rears or shifts its body to create an opening rather than making its own attack. On a successful check the Paladin receives +2 on the next attack made against the chosen opponent.

Skewer

Prerequisites: Mounted Combat, Ride-By Attack, Spirited Charge.
Ride DC: 20; empathic mount +5.
Actions: rider standard action; mount full-round action.

During a mounted charge the Paladin may take –2 on the attack roll to drive a lance deeply into the target and leave it embedded. Resolve the initial charge damage one step below the normal Spirited Charge multiplier. While the weapon remains lodged, it inflicts 1d6 automatic damage each round and imposes a –2 penalty on the victim’s actions involving that wounded area. A Strength DC 15 check pulls the lance free, but the removal itself inflicts severe additional damage determined by the original hit and charge multiplier.

Snatch

Prerequisites: Mounted Combat, Ride-By Attack.
Ride DC: 10 with an empathic mount.
Actions: rider standard action; mount move-equivalent or full action.

While riding past a creature of the rider’s size or one category smaller, make a touch attack to seize the creature and pull it into the saddle. A prepared willing target grants +2 synergy on the touch attack; an unaware target that does not resist is simply grabbed on a successful touch.

A resisting target makes the normal opposed grapple check. Success lifts the victim into a pinned position behind or across the rider. A second successful grapple can secure the creature face-down, imposing an additional –2 on escape attempts.

Unseat Rider

Prerequisites: Mounted Combat, Ride-By Attack.
Empathic bonus: +2 on the relevant Ride check.
Actions: rider standard action; mount full-round action.

The Paladin charges another mounted opponent and makes a touch attack at –4 against the rider rather than the mount. On a hit, determine the attack’s virtual damage. The defender must make a Ride check against DC 10 + that damage. A lance counts double its virtual damage before setting the DC. Failure throws the enemy from the saddle and inflicts 1d6 nonlethal damage; success keeps the defender mounted.

A Paladin who trains extensively with Detect Evil can learn specialised applications. Each technique below has an experience-point training cost. Once learned, the technique remains available whenever the Paladin uses Detect Evil.

Activating a specialised technique normally requires its listed check as part of using Detect Evil. Failure means the specialised effect does not activate that round, and the DC rises by +1 for the next attempt. The Paladin may always fall back on the ordinary spell-like ability.

Active Sense

Before sleeping, the Paladin makes Concentration DC 20 and activates Detect Evil. During sleep, an evil presence entering the normal 60-foot range may wake the Paladin. Make a Will save with a base DC of 15, adjusted downward for exceptionally powerful evil. Success wakes the Paladin immediately with the knowledge that an evil presence has approached. The effect ends when the Paladin wakes.

Discern Lies

This technique treats deliberate deception as a faint moral disturbance rather than proof of alignment. Make a Sense Motive check opposed by the speaker’s Bluff check, gaining an insight bonus of +2 plus the Paladin’s Charisma modifier. It complements rather than replaces Discern Lies.

Enlarge

On a successful Concentration DC 16 check, Detect Evil reaches 120 feet rather than 60 feet for that use.

Fight Invisible Evil Opponent

Each round, a Wisdom DC 15 check allows the Paladin to send out a brief directional pulse. If an evil invisible creature is within the sense’s area, reduce the Paladin’s normal melee miss chance against that creature by 20 percentage points and allow the Paladin to retain Dexterity bonus to AC against it.

Producing the pulse is a move-equivalent action. The Paladin can therefore still make an attack during the round but cannot use a full-round attack sequence.

Maintain

The Paladin can hold Detect Evil at a chosen stage rather than beginning again from the first round each time. Each round requires a free-action Concentration check:

Failure ends the maintained state. While maintaining it, the Paladin cannot use another spell, spell-like ability or spell-trigger item.

If this technique is being used to locate an invisible evil creature through the third-stage effect, it supplies only an approximate location. It does not by itself negate the creature’s other benefits from invisibility.

Pinpoint Location

After concentrating for at least three rounds, a Search DC 16 check can locate an evil aura within normal detection range even when it is not in direct line of sight. Pinpointing the aura is a standard action.

Skip to a Stage

Instead of waiting for the normal progression, the Paladin may attempt Concentration DC 17 to jump directly to the second-stage information or DC 19 to jump directly to the third-stage information.

Tracking a Lingering Aura

A lingering evil aura can be followed over distance. Make a Concentration check for each mile travelled. The required DC depends on aura strength:

If the Paladin is travelling faster than the quarry, each successful check grants a cumulative +1 competence bonus on the next tracking check. A failed check sends the tracker in the wrong direction. A later successful check reveals that the aura has been lost, forcing the Paladin to backtrack; accumulated bonuses are lost. The Paladin may hustle while following the aura.

This subsystem converts existing Paladin resources into Faith Points. Faith Points can then fuel divine interventions and combat prayers. Conversion is a free action made at the same time the source ability would otherwise be used.

The Paladin does not have to convert the entire Lay on Hands pool at once. Multiple uses of the same source ability can be converted together, but only one type of source ability can be converted in the same turn. For example, a Paladin cannot combine Turn Undead and Lay on Hands conversions during one turn.

If a conversion produces more Faith Points than the immediate effect costs, the unused points remain available.

Divine Intervention Dice

Intervention Dice Available per Session

Sacred Bonus

Roll the purchased intervention die and add it as a sacred bonus to a skill check, ability check, caster-level check, turning check, saving throw, attack roll or damage roll. The Paladin may normally decide to invoke the die before or after seeing the original roll.

Divine Hindrance

With GM approval, roll an intervention die and subtract the result from a roll made against the Paladin or the Paladin’s cause. The intervention die cannot be larger than the die being opposed.

Temporary Vitality

Gain temporary Hit Points equal to the intervention die result plus the Paladin’s Charisma modifier. They last for 1 round per Paladin level.

Divine Protection

Roll the intervention die and add the result to AC for 1 round. If more than one die is available, only the best result applies.

Divine Guidance

An intervention die can improve a critical threat. Add the die result to the attack roll. If the intervention result is at least as large as the weapon’s critical-threat range, reroll to confirm the critical. Using an intervention die this way costs as though the die were one size larger than normal. If the Paladin has another intervention die available, that second die can be applied to the confirmation roll.

Combat Prayers

Activating a combat prayer is normally a move-equivalent action. Unless stated otherwise, the effect lasts for 1 round per caster level, using one-half Paladin level as caster level. A Paladin can sustain a maximum number of combat prayers equal to Wisdom modifier.

Holy Oaths

A holy oath is a promise with supernatural weight. Its severity runs from 1 to 5. While actively fulfilling the oath, the Paladin gains a bonus equal to its severity when the oath is directly relevant.

When a saving throw is called for, use Will DC 15 + oath severity.

The experience-point cost of taking an oath equals its base XP cost multiplied by severity.

Oath Duration

An oath may have a fixed duration, last until a specified event is completed, remain conditional upon a continuing circumstance or be eternal. An eternal oath can remain significant beyond death and may even bind the oath-taker’s spirit. Once a non-eternal oath legitimately ends, both its benefits and its penalties cease.

Sample Oaths

Oath of Fealty

XP Cost: 100 × severity.
Chance of undeath if the eternal oath remains unresolved: 40%.

The Paladin gains a morale benefit on Will saves and relevant skill checks made to resist effects that would force betrayal of the sworn liege. Communication intended for the liege receives supernatural priority, and once per day the Paladin can use an effect comparable to Locate Person to find the liege.

Violation removes these benefits and imposes a morale penalty on Will saves. The supernatural bond remains one-sided: the liege can still be located through the oath’s bond while the oath-breaker loses the ability to locate the liege.

Oath of Alliance

XP Cost: 200 × severity.
Chance of undeath if the eternal oath remains unresolved: 20%.

Allies linked by the oath sense when another member suffers serious harm. Twice per day the Paladin can make a Sense Motive check to determine the condition of oath-bound companions, including broad information about their remaining health and key expended abilities.

The Paladin gains a bonus equal to oath severity +2 on Sense Motive checks involving fellow oath-members and a morale bonus on Will saves against compulsions that would force betrayal.

A betrayer develops a supernatural traitor’s mark. The oath-breaker takes –2 morale on attack rolls and Charisma-based checks involving the betrayed group. Other oath-members immediately become aware that betrayal has occurred and gain +2 morale on rolls made directly against the traitor.

Oath of Guardianship

XP Cost: 150 × severity.
Chance of undeath if the eternal oath remains unresolved: 80%.

While directly protecting the ward, the Paladin gains sacred bonuses to AC and saving throws. If reduced below 0 Hit Points while fulfilling the guardianship, the Paladin automatically stabilises. Once per day the Paladin can use a locating effect to find the ward.

Violation imposes a miss chance of 10% × oath severity and temporary Constitution damage equal to the oath’s severity. If the ward dies because of the violation, that Constitution loss can become permanent until true atonement is achieved.

Other suitable oath frameworks include Questing, Friendship, Binding and Enmity. Their exact terms should be written before play rather than improvised after the oath has been tested.

Sacred Vows

A sacred vow governs daily behaviour rather than one objective. A Paladin may hold more than one sacred vow.

Taking a sacred vow requires a full night of prayer or meditation and inflicts 1d4 temporary Constitution damage and 1d4 temporary Wisdom damage. It does not require an immediate XP payment.

Knowingly breaking a sacred vow causes immediate loss of Paladin supernatural abilities and the sacred mount. The character cannot gain further Paladin levels until completing appropriate atonement.

Abandoning a Sacred Vow

A Paladin can formally renounce a vow rather than break it secretly. Doing so requires a full night of prayer or meditation, 1d6 temporary Constitution damage, 1d6 temporary Wisdom damage and 500 XP. The obligation and its special benefit then end.

Vow of Truthfulness

The Paladin may not knowingly lie or deliberately deceive. The character does not rely on Bluff, feigned meanings or coded innuendo to conceal the truth and cannot use Diplomacy merely to disguise facts that the vow requires them to reveal.

In return, the Paladin gains +2 insight on Sense Motive checks made to recognise deception and +2 on saving throws against illusions.

Vow of Mercy

A Paladin who personally brings an opponent down must attempt to stabilise and care for that defeated foe when circumstances permit, using Lay on Hands, Heal or appropriate magic.

Undead, constructs, evil outsiders, oozes and vermin are normally exempt.

The Paladin gains a number of daily uses equal to Wisdom modifier of an effect combining aspects of Deathwatch and Sanctuary. Wisdom modifier is also added to appropriate healing amounts and Heal checks performed under the vow.

Secular Vows

A secular vow is a chosen discipline rather than a supernatural covenant. For each active secular vow, the Paladin gains +1 morale on Will saves against mind-affecting effects, to a maximum of +3.

Breaking one of these vows gives –1 morale on those saves until the character resumes the promised behaviour. There is no automatic XP loss or permanent supernatural penalty.

This subsystem turns the Paladin’s code into individual tenets with measurable adherence. It is intended for campaigns that want the code itself to generate mechanical choices rather than treating conduct as an all-or-nothing judgement.

Choosing Tenets

A Paladin can maintain a number of tenets up to Wisdom modifier.

Initial adherence points equal Wisdom score + character level. Each point can purchase +1 adherence in a tenet, to a normal maximum of +3 per tenet. Unspent initial points are lost.

Whenever the Paladin gains a level, add 2 + Wisdom modifier adherence points. Adding a completely new tenet at +0 costs 1 point.

General tenets cost 2 adherence points for each +1 increase. Specific tenets cost 1 point for each +1 increase.

Invoking a Tenet

Each tenet’s adherence bonus can normally be invoked a number of times per session equal to the Paladin’s Wisdom modifier.

The bonus applies when the Paladin is directly fulfilling that tenet or resisting a magical or supernatural effect that would force a violation.

An opponent who understands the code can deliberately exploit it. When that occurs, the Paladin may suffer a penalty equal to the tenet’s adherence bonus. Spending one of that tenet’s available invocations cancels the penalty.

Transgression Score

Violating a tenet adds that tenet’s adherence bonus to the Paladin’s transgression score.

If total transgression reaches or exceeds the Paladin’s Wisdom score, the character loses Paladin supernatural abilities until sufficient atonement reduces the score.

Involuntary Transgression

The Paladin breaks a tenet because of deception, ignorance or circumstances not fully understood. Make a Will save against DC 15 + the tenet’s adherence bonus.

On success, the Paladin retains the tenet’s invocation benefit, but the adherence bonus is still added to transgression score. On failure, the Paladin also loses that tenet’s invocation bonus until atonement.

Voluntary Transgression

The Paladin knowingly violates the tenet. There is no saving throw. The tenet’s invocation bonus is lost and its adherence bonus is added to transgression score.

Necessary Transgression

Sometimes two duties cannot both be kept. If violating a tenet is reasonably necessary to prevent a greater evil, make a Will save against DC 20 + the tenet’s adherence bonus.

On success, the Paladin loses use of the tenet’s bonus for 1d4+1 days but gains no transgression. Failure is treated as a voluntary violation.

Atonement

Redemption requires an act of devotion directly reflecting the tenet that was violated. The Paladin must also pay an XP cost equal to 5 × the tenet’s adherence bonus when the campaign uses XP costs.

Successful atonement subtracts that tenet’s adherence bonus from the transgression score and restores its invocation benefit.

Campaigns that do not use XP costs should replace the numerical cost with a meaningful quest, sacrifice, service or act of restitution.